Georg Heinrich Sieveking

Known as “Hamburg’s Rothschild”, Sieveking was among the most influential men in northern Germany. In partnership with his close friend Caspar Voght, he ran one of the largest trading firms in the Hanseatic League in second half of the 18th century.

Sieveking started his career as a 15-year old apprentice in the firm of the Hamburg Senator Voght. Since he was diligent employee, Senator gave him a stake in the firm alongside his own son, Caspar. After Senator’s death in 1781, two of them continued to ran and improve the joint business first under the name "Caspar Voght & Co.", and after 1788, as "Voght und Sieveking". While Voght travelled, Sieveking took care of business in Hamburg becoming actually a key figure in decision making process.

Their joint venture was not specialized in one type of good, and instead handled in a variety of goods depending on demand of clients. Initially the business was carried with French and England ports, but with the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War the trade activities were stretched to American soil. The company’s ships laden with tobacco, rice and indigo sailed to the Hanseatic ports. It is known that Vought spoke: "Ich war der erste Hamburger Kaufmann, der aus Mocca Kaffee, aus Baltimore Toback, aus Surinam Kaffee, aus Afrika Gummi holte"/ "I was the first Hamburg businessman to bring coffee from Mocha, tobacco from Baltimore, coffee from Suriname, rubber from Africa". In 1793 Vought decided to transfer all activities to George except of the trade with America, and dedicated himself to other pursuits.

Sieveking is also remembered as a follower of the Enlightment, and as an ardent admirer and supporter of the French revolution. At Hamburg, on his property at nearby Harvestehude he organized a grand festival and banquet for 80 guests in celebration of the first anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille.

However, his support diminished as the Revolution turned into terror.